Checking device

ABSTRACT

A pair of loop members constructed of resilient flexible strap material are positioned between reinforced end portions of a check strap and an adjacent abutment confining the check strap on each end for limited sliding movement on a rod, so that a loop member is compressed on each stroke of the picker stick preparatory to assisting in producing a following movement of an adjacent end portion on the next stroke of the picker stick to avoid excessive binding of the adjacent end portion.

United States Patent 1 [111 3,831,639 Springfield 5] Aug. 27, 1974 [5 ciieeidno DEVHCE v [76] Inventor: Robet 1L. Springfiiefld, 106 Galphin Jaudm Dr., Greenville, SC. 29609 [22] Filed: (let. 41, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 294,843

[52] US. 1C1. 1139/1165 [51] llnt. Cl D113d 49/411 [58] Field of Search 139/161 R, 165

[56] References tilted UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,521,893 9/1950 Bridges 139/166 3,126,922 3/1964 Randlett et al. 139/165 3,269,427 8/1966 Crocker 139/165 3,763,898 10/l973 Shivell 139/165 I la,

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bailey & Dority [57] ABSTRACT A pair of loop members constructed of resilient flexible strap material are positioned between reinforced end portions of a check strap and an adjacent abutment confining the check strap on each end for limited sliding movement on a rod, so that a loop member is compressed on each stroke of the picker stick preparatory to assisting in producing a following movement of an adjacent end portion on the next stroke of the picker stick to avoid excessive binding of the adjacent end portion.

6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures cniscktue DEVICE This invention relates to checking a shuttle during weaving by a check strap carried for limited sliding movement on a rod, and more particularly to novel means for avoiding excessive binding of thickened reinforced end portions of the strap on the rod.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is an improvement upon checking devices, as illustrated in U.S. Letters Pat. No. 2,666,455, wherein, a check strap is mounted for limited sliding movement on a rod. Such devices derive their checking action from friction developed at the ends of the strap engaging the rod complementing the friction developed by the engagement of the strap by the friction fingers carried opposite the rod. It was found, however, that the violent forces transmitted to the strap by the picker stick during weaving produced excessive wear on the rod engaging portions of the strap and binding of these portions as a result of the failure of the end of the strap remote from the end engaged by the picker stick on a given stroke to follow on the rod.

Attempts to solve these problems contemplated the provision of various reinforcing means at the rod engaging ends of the straps, and the provision of ties extending between the reinforced ends, such as illustrated in U.S. Letters Pat. Nos. 2,796,890 and 2,884,961. Such devices have resulted in significant improvements in checking. Such an approach, however, has occa sioned the necessity of stocking a large number of expensive parts requiring substantial maintenance. The numerous metal fastening means including the J-hooks of U.S. Pat. No. 2,884,961 not only present stock problems, but also pose a threat to safety as their dislodgement after extended use results in their being thrown into the aisle areas of the mill.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide a solution to the problem of excessive wear and binding as occurs on rod carried checking devices which avoids the use of ties entirely.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a checking device which is less expensive and easier to replace after it becomes excessively worn.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of an integral rod carried checking device which requires the stocking of less replacement parts.

Still another important object of this invention is the provision of a rod carried checking device which provides a smoother checking action over longer periods of time with less maintenance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It has been found that by providing a loop member constructed of resilient flexible material between respective reinforced ends and abutments of rod carried check straps a superior checking action is achieved while eliminating expensive parts and maintenance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by refer ence to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIG. l is a plan view, partially in section, illustrating a checking device constructed in accordance with the present invention carried upon a loom, and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view looking toward the right-hand end of the checking device of FIG. ll, further illustrating the invention.

The drawing illustrates a loom check strap having double strap members It) and Ill carried on a rod 12 having an abutment 13 at each end confining the strap members therebetween. The abutment 13 is carried by a collar 14 fixed adjacent an end of the rod by a setscrew Ma. The strap members are joined and reinforced at end portions. The reinforcing preferably includes an inner picker stick receiving strap portion 15 constructed of impact resistant material. An outer strap portion 116 further reinforces the strap end portions increasing the rod engaging surface at the ends. An outside tab 17 constructed of stiff composition material has a semi-circular portion for riding on the rod with a minimum of wear. The strap ends and respective reinforcing are joined together as by rivets inside the rod closely adjacent the extremities of the end portions. The end portions are slidably mounted on the rod for oscillating movement initiated by a picker stick 19 during weaving.

A pair of loop members, each designated at 20, constructed of resilient flexible strap material are slidably carried on the rod. A loop member 20 is positioned between each end portion and a respective abutment. Thus, a loop member is compressed on each stroke of the picker stick preparatory to assisting in producing a following movement of an adjacent end portion on the next stroke of the picker stick to avoid excessive binding of the adjacent end portion.

The loop members 20 each have outward extensions 20a which engage the abutments as well as inward extensions 20b formed by the end portions of the inner strap member 11. The strap members It) and 11 have bends 21 formed therein by heat and pressure to form the inward extensions 20b which are struck by the picker stick and which ride on the rod 12. Thus the loop members are integral extensions of a strap member for exerting a resilient compressive force at a free portion of a respective end portion. The outward extensions 20a are each provided with a slot 22 elongated in the horizontal plane for permitting these extensions to ride freely on the rod. It will be observed that each strap member It) and It also have holes 10a and 11a aligned with holes 15a and 16a in strap portions 15 and 16, as well as with the semi-circular portion 17a.

The rod 12 is mounted on the lay (not shown) by the bracket 23. The rod is attached to the bracket by the threaded shank 2d which has an integral head 24a on one end, and which receives a nut 24b on the other. The strap members, between the bends 21, pass between the friction finge'rs 25 on one side and 26 on the other.

Preferably, the strap members w and 11 and the loops are constructed of plies of synthetic textile material, such as the usual nylon, although leather or any suitable substitute may be used. Preferably, the reinforcing at the end portions includes an outer stiffening member extending partially about said rod as described and an inner cushioning member, all joined with said strap members, although other types of reinforcing may be used.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A loom check strap having a strap member carried on a rod with an abutment at each end confining the strap member therebetween comprising: a reinforced, stiff, thickened end portion integral with said strap member at each end thereof; each said end portion having a hole therein receiving said rod for slidably mounting said end portion in frictional engagement on the rod for oscillating movement initiated by a picker stick during weaving, a loop member of flexible resilient material integral with each end portion, each loop member having a hole therein opposite said first mentioned hole freely receiving said rod and slidably mounting said loop members on the rod between each end portion and a respective abutment; whereby a loop member is compressed on each stroke of the picker stick preparatory to assisting in producing a following movement of the adjacent end portion on the next stroke of the picker stick to avoid excessive binding of said end portion.

2. The structure set forth in claim l, wherein said strap members and said loops are constructed of plies of synthetic textile material.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1, including reinforcing at said end portions comprising: an outer stiffening member extending partially about said rod, and an inner cushioning member, all joined with said strap members.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1, including a slot in each of said loop members, receive said rod, elongated in the plane of said strap members.

5. A check strap assembly slidably mounted on a rod having abutments at each end confining the assembly therebetween including: double strap members; reinforcing members, jointed together with said strap members forming thickened end portions having holes therein accommodating the rod for frictional sliding movement thereon responsive to the action of the picker stick during weaving; a pair of loop members constructed of resilient flexible strap material having holes freely slidably carrying said loop members on the rod; and said loop members on one end thereof being integral extensions of a strap member for exerting a resilient compressive force at free portions of respective end portions and on the other end thereof engaging respective abutments.

6. The check strap assembly set forth in claim 5, wherein said strap members are-constructed of synthetic textile material bent to form said extensions. 

1. A loom check strap having a strap member carried on a rod with an abutment at each end confining the strAp member therebetween comprising: a reinforced, stiff, thickened end portion integral with said strap member at each end thereof; each said end portion having a hole therein receiving said rod for slidably mounting said end portion in frictional engagement on the rod for oscillating movement initiated by a picker stick during weaving, a loop member of flexible resilient material integral with each end portion, each loop member having a hole therein opposite said first mentioned hole freely receiving said rod and slidably mounting said loop members on the rod between each end portion and a respective abutment; whereby a loop member is compressed on each stroke of the picker stick preparatory to assisting in producing a following movement of the adjacent end portion on the next stroke of the picker stick to avoid excessive binding of said end portion.
 2. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said strap members and said loops are constructed of plies of synthetic textile material.
 3. The structure set forth in claim 1, including reinforcing at said end portions comprising: an outer stiffening member extending partially about said rod, and an inner cushioning member, all joined with said strap members.
 4. The structure set forth in claim 1, including a slot in each of said loop members, receive said rod, elongated in the plane of said strap members.
 5. A check strap assembly slidably mounted on a rod having abutments at each end confining the assembly therebetween including: double strap members; reinforcing members, jointed together with said strap members forming thickened end portions having holes therein accommodating the rod for frictional sliding movement thereon responsive to the action of the picker stick during weaving; a pair of loop members constructed of resilient flexible strap material having holes freely slidably carrying said loop members on the rod; and said loop members on one end thereof being integral extensions of a strap member for exerting a resilient compressive force at free portions of respective end portions and on the other end thereof engaging respective abutments.
 6. The check strap assembly set forth in claim 5, wherein said strap members are constructed of synthetic textile material bent to form said extensions. 